the last line - wow. very nice. I think I learned a lot about your father Susan, in that very short piece.

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Oh, Susan. Dylan's beautiful tribute made me cry. I am glad you have been and are loved by such men.

>It's one of the last of the two of them together. It struck me, when we were home in June, how Annabel would be content to sit quietly in his lap when she had no patience for that with anyone else. She'll sidle up to you for comfort or a brief cuddle every so often, but she'd rather run and explore than snuggle, on the whole. But somehow she knew that Dad was in no shape to chase her or romp with her on the floor, and that her presence was comforting to him.

That's a sweet memory. I'm glad you have it. I hope you include it in your stories you tell Annabel, about your father. Chris was older than Annabel (a few months shy of 3) when my father passed. Where I knew Ben and Julia (then 7 and 4.5) would have more vivid memories of interacting with him, I knew it was likely Chris wouldn't, particularly as he wasn't then very verbal. So when I tell him Grampy stories, I try to include ones from my memory, moments between them that touched me (and I highlight Chris's actions, because at this age, that's what they're thrilled by--stories featuring them) or tickled me in some way, to help him feel like Grampy was his Grampy, too.

Deena,

I think the corn syrup is a less sure case than honey. Honey is never supposed to be given. Corn syrup has tested positive for presence of the spores in the past, and then mostly negative. Because botulism often exhibits with constipation, it has been hard for doctors to be sure whether it is a culprit or coincidence. If it came down to it, I'd use plain, old table sugar, or ask about a laxative, first, in a baby under a year. I know we all probably had corn syrup mixed in our drinks and were fine, but it's just one of those why-risk-it things, in my book.

I do have to say again, strained pears are a great, gentle way to address this problem, and I think the doctor's probably spot on about the olive oil. I still don't get the lemon juice recommendation.

Signed,
Shitologist

We are 90 odd % water - we are made to move ( think about what happpens to still water)

Oh! beth! That's brilliant.

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Dylan's writing was beautiful, Susan.

I have no input (or output) on the baby poo thread. Aside from, yeah, they can be very good at making it.

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We are 90 odd % water - we are made to move ( think about what happpens to still water)

That is the one thought that gradually penetrated my couch potato ways. I reliezed the last tiem I was sick - I don't sit still for long periods of time anymore. Sitting down for a couple of hours durring the day to read or watch a movie - very rare.

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We are 90 odd % water

Actually, I think we're a lot less -- brain and blood are very watery, but most bodily estimates I've read have been in the 55-70% range.

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Finally caught up, so much going on.

Susan, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your Dad sounds like a wonderful man. I wish all those who loved him much peace.

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Susan, that was such a beautiful tribute to your dad, I won't even take offense to the Rhode Island bashing. Your dad sounds like he was a truly amazing man.

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He really does. He made the most out of life. I especially like the anecdote about him reading a romance novel because it was there to read. That sounds just like me when I was younger, reading a Babysitters Club book because it was there. I've lost that unpretentiousness over the years, though.

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Dylan's piece was wonderful.

Another co-worker is pregnant. My unmarried, 28 year old boss has stopped drinking the water.

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Hec, or anyone else really, can you link me to some good haircut websites? I have a printer that can finally print up detailed colored pictures that I can bring to my hairdresser.

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